The Paleo Diet & Carbs: Can the Two Go Together?
You’ve started a Paleo food regimen and you feel like you’re doing pretty well, but it seems like the essential carbs your body needs are only found in the things you can no longer eat! While you might have known you’d have to cut out most breads, sweets and pastas, you probably didn’t anticipate cutting down on quinoa, oats and cereal.
If you’re worried about ensuring you’re getting enough servings of carbs to maintain your Paleo lifestyle while keeping yourself feeling full all day, without any guilt, Within/Without might have the perfect solution for you. Learn more about how you can include carbs into your Paleo diet today!
Is Paleo A Low-Carb Diet?
Paleo is not supposed to be a low carb food regimen. It lowers your carb intake naturally, simply because processed grains are off limits. Since you also need to stay away from refined and manufactured legumes, including peanuts, beans, peas, lentils and soy products like tofu, you find your carb count dropping even lower. Yet eating carbs on Paleo is still important, as they are a critical macronutrient when consumed correctly.
Still confused about which Paleo carbs you can and cannot eat? Our expert team is here to help with Paleo-friendly carbs that keep you on track! Since Paleo is an incredibly personalized food regimen, take your time exploring your options and test what works best for you.
What Are Paleo-Friendly Carbs?
Paleo is all about the return to basics, so you can immediately eliminate all processed foods and grains from your carb intake. These are not Paleo diet friendly carbs. Fortunately for you, Paleo is not Keto, which means you can eat a lot of fruits and veggies to maintain an appropriate carb intake. Take a look at some of the carbs you can eat and still stick to your paleo lifestyle:
Veggies
- Plantains
- Yams
- Sweet Potatoes
- Butternut Squash
- Onions
- Carrots
- Beets
- Turnips
- Broccoli
- Avocado
Fruits
- Mangos
- Pears
- Blueberries
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Dates
- Apples
- Peaches
- Coconut
This list isn’t complete by any means, but it can provide you with a place to start if you’re looking to balance your Paleo diet with your carb intake.
Our Favorite Paleo Carbs
With so many veggies and fruits you can eat, it can be hard to focus on the best ones for you. Check out the benefits of some of our favorite Paleo carbs to help you decide!
Beets
Whether you opt for red or golden beets, they’re incredibly nutrient-dense. High in phytonutrients, beets provide your body with natural detoxification through tons of antioxidants. They also improve brain and nervous system function as they’re a great source of folate content, calcium and magnesium. Eat them raw, toasted or roasted to enjoy all of the benefits of this perfect Paleo diet carb.
Cassava Root
You might know the cassava root by its more common name, tapioca. It’s a super versatile Paleo-friendly carb that’s often used as a flour substitute for those who want to enjoy occasional baked goods. It has far more nutrients than nut or coconut flour and contains lots of protein for such a starchy vegetable.
Winter Squash
Lower in calories than sweet potatoes, winter squash (think acorn, butternut and spaghetti squash) is a perfect Paleo diet carb with a similar flavor that works well in both sweet and savory dishes. When it’s in season, winter squash is the perfect choice for soups, noodle dishes and so much more. It’s a versatile vegetable that provides huge amounts of vitamin A, fiber and vitamin C.
What Else Can You Eat?
You might be thinking that this list is all well and good, but what about when you feel the urge to snack and a bowl of blueberries just won’t cut it? That’s where we come in! Within/Without has created the perfect Paleo snack that’s delicious and nutritious. Our oat-, grain- and dairy-free granola is sweetened with only honey and specifically crafted for people who follow Paleo.
While a lot of granola gets a bad rap for added sugars and over-processing, Within/Without granola is full of natural ingredients that have loads of added health benefits. In addition to adding carbs to your Paleo diet, you might also experience better gut health, lower blood pressure, weight loss and increased energy following the paleo lifestyle.
Many food companies have ventured into the realm of snacks for very specific lifestyles, including Paleo and Keto. You can find everything from grain-free fruit bars and protein bars to meat sticks and vegetable chips to help curb your cravings. All of these are easy to find carbs for Paleo that can help you maintain a healthy macronutrient balance.
Carbs for All!
It turns out eating carbs on the Paleo diet is much easier than you thought! Fruits and vegetables are a great source of carbs, and most are 100% Paleo-friendly. They’re also a great place to find all the fiber, vitamins and minerals your body needs to ensure peak functionality and health. Instead of focusing on the carbs and grains you can’t eat, focus on the nutrient-rich foods that are staples of the Paleo lifestyle.
For those that work out regularly and need a higher caloric intake, you should be eating even more carbs than the average person on Paleo. Consider eating 1-3 servings per day of starchy vegetables to explore how it changes your energy levels, mood and weight goals. Let us know what your favorite paleo carbs are and what has worked best for you in the comments below!